Dairy Industry News

Cows move into multiple new university dairy facilities, others nearing completion

kimmi@agproud.com — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Cattle moved into new facilities at Michigan State University and Ohio State University this past year, and construction continues at the University of Idaho and Washington State University. Kansas State University is currently in the fundraising and planning stages of their project.

Weekly Digest: FTC settles right to repair with Deere & Company

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 17:01:29 -0400

In the news related to dairy farming the second week of July 2026: FTC settles right to repair with Deere & Company, the USDA introduces more crop insurance options for forage producers, the Annual Dairy Strong conference moves to Lambeau Field in 2027, and the American Dairy XPO is positioned to support Northeast dairy growth.

New Hires: Erik Sheppelman

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Meet Erik Sheppelman, dairy specialist at Vita Plus.

Economic Update: FARM Program opens comment period for version 2028

karen@agproud.com — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 15:46:19 -0400

In the news affecting a dairy producer's bottom line: The FARM Program opens comment period for version 2028, Rabobank provides an update on global dairy trade, high input cost concerns weigh on farmer sentiment, and Land O’Lakes Inc. announced an investment to expand dairy protein production in California.

Domestic NDM/SMP prices create headwinds for U.S. export market

jenn@agproud.com — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 15:38:36 -0400

May proved to be another enthusiastic month for U.S. dairy exports, with the year-over-year volume growth streak now reaching eight consecutive months as exports rose 14% in milk solids equivalent terms. All of this is despite low nonfat dry milk/skim milk powder (NDM/SMP) shipments – due to steep price comparison – reigning in what might have been a record month.

PDP calf facility tours to feature three Wisconsin dairy farms

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 07:39:15 -0400

The 2026 Calf Facility Tours presented by Professional Dairy Producers (PDP) will provide the opportunity for a behind-the-scenes perspective of three progressive dairy operations and the management practices, equipment and technologies they use to care for the youngest members of their herd.

Weekly Digest: U.S. declines USMCA renewal in current form

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 17:00:47 -0400

In the news related to dairy farming the first week of July 2026: The U.S. declines USMCA renewal in current form; NASS report shows corn planted acreage down 3%, soybean acreage up 5%; nominations are open for NMC’s National Dairy Quality Awards program, and World Dairy Expo cattle show entries are open too.

Milk class prices shrink in June report

jenn@agproud.com — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 16:11:13 -0400

While the market for Class IV milk is still strong, the markets are signaling a retreat is near. The June USDA Announcement of Class and Component Prices report indicated the Class IV milk price falling more than $2 from the month prior, and while the Class III price also fell, the gap between the two is closing as the markets search for balance.

May DMC margin is realized at $10.62 per cwt

jenn@agproud.com — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 16:00:37 -0400

The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Agricultural Prices report, released June 29, established May’s Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program calculations. As the all-milk price rose 50 cents, the total feed costs rose 42 cents, boosting the DMC margin 8 cents to $10.62 per hundredweight (cwt) for the month.

Dairy risk management calendar: July 2026

jenn@agproud.com — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 15:10:45 -0400

Milk production across the U.S. has been rampant in 2026 with both processing capacity and global demand pressuring dairy farms to produce more, and a larger national dairy herd is helping keep the pace. Despite all the dynamics working in favor for U.S. dairy farmers, milk margins remain tight and risk management strategies remain critical.

Weekly Digest: June Dairy Month ends with product donation, innovation, promotion

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 15:04:17 -0400

In dairy-related news at the end of June 2026: Prairie Farms Family of Companies honors America’s 250th anniversary with donation of 250,000 servings of milk, dairy demand resilient despite mounting economic pressure on consumers, Utah State wins dairy checkoff’s New Product Competition, Midwest Dairy Accelerator showcases new opportunities for dairy, and Gonna Need Milk partners with Warner Bros. Pictures and DC Studios’ Supergirl to spotlight milk.

Made in America for American dairy farmers

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

In celebrating 250 years of the United States of America, Progressive Dairy asked our advertisers that manufacture dairy equipment in the U.S. what Made in America means to them. Here’s what they had to say.

Dairy cow culling slows as herd expansion continues

audrey@agproud.com — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 12:57:28 -0400

Based on the latest USDA monthly Livestock Slaughter data, the number of dairy cull cows marketed through U.S. slaughter plants in May 2026 was estimated at 191,700.

Farmer-owned group opens new ice cream processing plant in Jerome

walt.cooley@agproud.com — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 07:59:28 -0400

Idaho Milk Products opened a new milk processing plant in June with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and distinguished guests attending from around the state. The $190 million plant is the company's second processing facility in Jerome, Idaho.

Q1 interest rates offer glimpse of bleak ag conditions

jenn@agproud.com — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 07:15:40 -0400

As 2026 got underway, interest rates for American farmers continued to retreat to levels last noticed in 2022 as reported in the major agricultural regions including Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City and Minneapolis Federal Reserve districts.

New Hires: Joe Macedo

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Meet Joe Macedo, southwest region sales manager for Alta Genetics.

Weekly Digest: Dairy farmers sue USDA over checkoff program

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 13:57:35 -0400

In dairy-related news the third week of June 2026: Dairy farmers sue the USDA over checkoff program, Congressional Fly-in urges action on labor and other issues, Rabobank reports the global dairy market is heading toward a supply slowdown, and Idaho Milk Products expands its footprint.

U.S. dairy exports soar in April

jenn@agproud.com — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 15:28:59 -0400

April was another record-breaking month for U.S. dairy product exports, with cheese setting a new monthly record, and butterfat, nonfat dry milk/skim milk powder (NDM/SMP) and low-protein whey all continuing their respective growth streaks.

QualiTru Sampling Systems launches customized food safety and quality training program for commercial dairy industry

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 07:50:44 -0400

QualiTru Sampling Systems (formerly known as QMI), leaders in the science of aseptic and representative sampling equipment for the liquid food and dairy industries, is introducing a new Technical Services Educational Training (TSET) Program.

Progressive Publishing hires Lauren Wangsness as summer editorial intern

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 17:31:17 -0400

Progressive Publishing welcomes Lauren Wangsness as a summer editorial intern for Progressive Dairy. Wangsness will work on various video projects and support the editorial team throughout the summer.

Weekly Digest: More U.S. cases of New World screwworm confirmed, Canada restricts imports

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 16:32:45 -0400

In the news related to dairy farming the second week of June 2026: More U.S. cases of New World screwworm were confirmed and Canada restricts imports, FARM Biosecurity celebrates updated Secure Milk Supply Plan and producer resources, and three Midwest farms earn 2025 High Production Herd Award.

Class III-IV gap widens to largest spread since 2020

jenn@agproud.com — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:08:46 -0400

The May USDA Announcement of Class and Component Prices report is indicative of a milk market the U.S. dairy industry has not seen since 2020 as the gap between Class III and Class IV reached $5.40 per hundredweight (cwt), incentivizing depooling in Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMOs).

Weekly Digest: Checkoff to celebrate National Cheese Day June 4

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 17:15:50 -0400

In the news related to dairy farming the first week of June 2026: The dairy checkoff brings "Body by Cheese" to life for National Cheese Day, U.S. dairy calls for action on Canadian dairy trade practices, and the FARM Program kicks off its annual Excellence Awards.

April DMC margin reaches yearly high of $10.54 per cwt

jenn@agproud.com — Fri, 29 May 2026 17:10:21 -0400

The price for all key feedstuffs used to calculate the margin rose in April, revealing an income over feed cost of $10.54 per hundredweight (cwt), more than $1 above the highest coverage selection in Tier I and comfortably positioning those enrolled in the program in the clear of indemnity payments.

DRMS Expands HerdHQ with RapidReports and BovineBio – Customizable Reports and Cow Views Now Available

Wed, 27 May 2026 10:21:50 -0400

DRMS announced the availability of RapidReports and BovineBio, two tools within the HerdHQ platform that are already being used by producers and consultants.

April report on dairy cows culled for beef

audrey@agproud.com — Tue, 26 May 2026 08:07:12 -0400

Based on latest USDA monthly Livestock Slaughter data, the number of dairy cull cows marketed through U.S. slaughter plants in April 2026 was estimated at 215,100.

Milk production, cow numbers continue to increase in April USDA estimates

audrey@agproud.com — Fri, 22 May 2026 17:00:22 -0400

Nineteen states including Kansas, California and Wisconsin boosted milk production a combined 574 million pounds in April.

Dairy risk management calendar: June 2026

jenn@agproud.com — Thu, 21 May 2026 13:25:28 -0400

June marks the halfway mark for 2026, but it is already time to start thinking about risk management coverage for 2027 as the new crop year is on the horizon.

Economic Update: June Class I base price reaches $22.18 per cwt

karen@agproud.com — Thu, 21 May 2026 13:13:23 -0400

In the news impacting a dairy producer's bottom line the third week of May 2026: June Class I base price reaches $22.18 per cwt, fluid milk sales for March are 2.3% higher than a year earlier, the FARM Environmental Stewardship Program integrates newly updated RuFaS Model, and entries are now open for the 2026 World Forage Analysis Superbowl.

Progressive Publishing welcomes Patryce LeFevre as a summer editorial intern for Progressive Dairy

Tue, 19 May 2026 09:58:37 -0400

Patryce (Eldredge) LeFevre is no stranger to the dairy industry. She grew up on a dairy farm in southeastern Idaho on the Idaho-Utah border, and is Progressive Dairy's editorial intern this summer.